Just an FYI concerning Firmware Downloads & Windows 11 making them unusable

[monte12345]

Note, this will be a problem going forward for every Windows 11 user because it a fault in a Security Update for Windows 11.

Sunday Nov 2, 2025 I decided to do the 3.0 firmware update for my Zf. So go to the Nikon site and went to the download page for this firmware. Download the file, copy it to a freshly formatted UHS-2 memory card using the Zf to do the format, put the card in the camera and opened up the Firmware function. The screen showed C2.02 and L2.00. Note had the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor Z mounted on the camera.

Repeated this process 3 times from start at the Nikon download page to using a freshly formatted card in the camera with the same Identical Results.

Next I took the memory card and put in in a card reader in my Windows 11 Pro Desktop computer and did a full and complete format of the card using Windows 11 with the Extended FAT32 setting. Learned to things doing this. One is that a full format on a 256mb card takes 15-20 minutes. The second is that you don't actually have to format the memory card in the camera to install firmware. Because the process yielded the EXACT SAME result, a Done Screen instead of the Update Firmware screen.

Next step was to shut the computer down and then do a full reboot of the computer from a cold start, Then downloaded the Firmware Update from Nikon. Followed that up with an in camera format for the memory card, copy that download from a cold started computer with nothing else running except Explorer and got the EXACT SAME results.

Took a break to cool off a bit and did a bunch of google searching with nothing yielded because suggestions to do the install via Snap Bridge or the Nikon Cloud service. Note, will NEVER EVER take that route because a bad firmware install results in a destroyed mainboard in the camera. I will also note that getting Snapbridge to connect to my cameras only works about 1 in 10 times. If I want to change the camera linked to Snapbridge that usually takes up to 45 minutes to accomplish and the WIFI connection is usually closed within 5 minutes. BTW don't know if its the Phone or Snapbridge doing the disconnect but as a result I have concluded the only thing Snap Bridge is useful for is providing location data. As for the Cloud, not at all interested in the complete loss of Privacy that entails.

After spending some time pondering the problem I got out my Windows 11 Pro Laptop. Nice thing about my Laptop it connects to my home WIFI as soon as you power it up. Got out my USB-3 card reader and plugged it into the Thunderport 4 port on my laptop and went to the Nikon Download Site and got the 3.0 Firmware file. Then formatted the memory card in the camera, copied the new file to the card using the laptop and then put the card into the camera. Go to Firmware, did the right click and UPDATE Firmware showed up immediately. Did the update and all done working perfectly.

After this I did a bit more "fishing" for answers. If I look at the firmware file downloaded using the Desktop using a Right Click a menu come up with a line showing Properties. Click on Properties and then go to the Attributes line and the Desktop download shows an attribute of AE. Do the same with the file downloaded by my Laptop and the attribute is A. Further searches on Google shows that Windows 11 is capable of altering the Attribute of a file as it's being downloaded.

Following is an explanation of what is going on.


Solutions. I called Nikon USA about my issues and they were not aware this is a potential problem. Talking with the Tech at Nikon I suggested that providing a Zip file for the updates to act as an "insulator" for Windows Tampering. She thought this was a workaround that may provide a solution and also relayed that up the chain. Anyone who is having issues with an update for any of the Nikon Z cameras should take the time to call Nikon USA and request that the technician email the update file to your computer using a Zip file. She said that was something that she can do if it's necessary. At some point I'm hoping that Nikon will start offering Zip file Downloads for every product.

Hopefully at some point Micorsoft will issue an update to correct this issue but who know then that will happen. At some point Nikon will be getting a stampede of calls about updates that won't work.

 

[Blufftonian]

Interesting.

I updated the firmware on my Z6iii when I bought it two months ago. I used my desktop, Windows 11 Pro PC, with no issues whatsoever.

 

[Barleyman]

Odd, I am not seeing the attribute change. I am fully updated on Windows 11.

 

[nzshooter]

No problem here either.
See https://www.dpreview.com/forums/threads/z50ii-and-z5ll-new-firmware.4820658/post-68499965

 

[monte12345]

Odd, I am not seeing the attribute change. I am fully updated on Windows 11.

I am very far from a Windows expert and have not stayed at a Holiday Inn Express ever. Below is my Update History for October listed in the Windows History page. I suspect the problem update is the one installed on October 15. Currently my computer is listing that it is up to date with no updates pending but Microsoft does list October 20 and 28 updates that are apparently pending but haven't been released. There is also the 25H2 build that is coming in November. If you could can you check this list against your computer and see if both our systems match. I would really like to get a better handle on what is going on.

 

[patrol_taking_9j]

I don't believe this is an issue for Nikon to solve - this sounds like an issue with your particular computer.
The AI is wrong, as it usually is.
Check if you have any aftermarket disk encryption software.

 

[Blufftonian]

Just some thoughts:

Is the encryption inherited? Did you download it to a folder that is already encrypted?
Is your PC a managed/corporate device where administrators may have forced encryption?
Is your PC using any endpoint protection tools?

I am using Windows 11 25H2 although that was a fairly recent download.

 

[buildingsights]

Note, this will be a problem going forward for every Windows 11 user because it a fault in a Security Update for Windows 11.

Sunday Nov 2, 2025 I decided to do the 3.0 firmware update for my Zf. So go to the Nikon site and went to the download page for this firmware. Download the file, copy it to a freshly formatted UHS-2 memory card using the Zf to do the format, put the card in the camera and opened up the Firmware function. The screen showed C2.02 and L2.00. Note had the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor Z mounted on the camera.

Repeated this process 3 times from start at the Nikon download page to using a freshly formatted card in the camera with the same Identical Results.

Next I took the memory card and put in in a card reader in my Windows 11 Pro Desktop computer and did a full and complete format of the card using Windows 11 with the Extended FAT32 setting. Learned to things doing this. One is that a full format on a 256mb card takes 15-20 minutes. The second is that you don't actually have to format the memory card in the camera to install firmware. Because the process yielded the EXACT SAME result, a Done Screen instead of the Update Firmware screen.

Next step was to shut the computer down and then do a full reboot of the computer from a cold start, Then downloaded the Firmware Update from Nikon. Followed that up with an in camera format for the memory card, copy that download from a cold started computer with nothing else running except Explorer and got the EXACT SAME results.

Took a break to cool off a bit and did a bunch of google searching with nothing yielded because suggestions to do the install via Snap Bridge or the Nikon Cloud service. Note, will NEVER EVER take that route because a bad firmware install results in a destroyed mainboard in the camera. I will also note that getting Snapbridge to connect to my cameras only works about 1 in 10 times. If I want to change the camera linked to Snapbridge that usually takes up to 45 minutes to accomplish and the WIFI connection is usually closed within 5 minutes. BTW don't know if its the Phone or Snapbridge doing the disconnect but as a result I have concluded the only thing Snap Bridge is useful for is providing location data. As for the Cloud, not at all interested in the complete loss of Privacy that entails.

After spending some time pondering the problem I got out my Windows 11 Pro Laptop. Nice thing about my Laptop it connects to my home WIFI as soon as you power it up. Got out my USB-3 card reader and plugged it into the Thunderport 4 port on my laptop and went to the Nikon Download Site and got the 3.0 Firmware file. Then formatted the memory card in the camera, copied the new file to the card using the laptop and then put the card into the camera. Go to Firmware, did the right click and UPDATE Firmware showed up immediately. Did the update and all done working perfectly.

After this I did a bit more "fishing" for answers. If I look at the firmware file downloaded using the Desktop using a Right Click a menu come up with a line showing Properties. Click on Properties and then go to the Attributes line and the Desktop download shows an attribute of AE. Do the same with the file downloaded by my Laptop and the attribute is A. Further searches on Google shows that Windows 11 is capable of altering the Attribute of a file as it's being downloaded.

Following is an explanation of what is going on.


Solutions. I called Nikon USA about my issues and they were not aware this is a potential problem. Talking with the Tech at Nikon I suggested that providing a Zip file for the updates to act as an "insulator" for Windows Tampering. She thought this was a workaround that may provide a solution and also relayed that up the chain. Anyone who is having issues with an update for any of the Nikon Z cameras should take the time to call Nikon USA and request that the technician email the update file to your computer using a Zip file. She said that was something that she can do if it's necessary. At some point I'm hoping that Nikon will start offering Zip file Downloads for every product.

Hopefully at some point Micorsoft will issue an update to correct this issue but who know then that will happen. At some point Nikon will be getting a stampede of calls about updates that won't work.

it never happened to me but if you have, for example, a folder encryption setup that would be perhaps the result...? perhaps there are other situation that would trigger a change in the file's attribute...

 

[NickZ2016]

I think you mentioned everything but the browser used. It might be your browser.

Formating in the computer isn't a great idea because Windows might pick a file system different than what the camera expects.

 

[Blufftonian]

I think you mentioned everything but the browser used. It might be your browser.

Formating in the computer isn't a great idea because Windows might pick a file system different than what the camera expects.

The OP did state that initially he used a "freshly formatted UHS-2 memory card using the Zf to do the format".

 

[sirhawkeye64]

Interesting, evern since Nikon stopped using self-extracing EXE files and just posting the .BIN update files, I have had no issues with Windows (10 or 11). It could be your AV/security software sees it as a threat (as .bin files are program files -- binary code files -- with executable code, even though Windows itself cannot execute/run the Nikon .bin files). So I would maybe check your AV Software to make sure it's not flagging it as suspicious and making it hard to use/download the file

Also, as some people hinted, some browsers may flag the file based on file-type (I think Chrome does this and may block the download). Maybe try another browser like Edge or Firefox. (I use Firefox myself most of the time and haven't had any issues downloading the Nikon updates with that browser).

 

[Barleyman]

I am very far from a Windows expert and have not stayed at a Holiday Inn Express ever. Below is my Update History for October listed in the Windows History page. I suspect the problem update is the one installed on October 15. Currently my computer is listing that it is up to date with no updates pending but Microsoft does list October 20 and 28 updates that are apparently pending but haven't been released. There is also the 25H2 build that is coming in November. If you could can you check this list against your computer and see if both our systems match. I would really like to get a better handle on what is going on.

Here's my update history:


They appear to be the same (BTW Loving the new forum ability to copy and paste).

 

[NikonMan09]

Last night I executed the latest firmware updates to my Z50ii and 12-28 DX Z lens without any problem using my 5+ year-old HP laptop w/Windows 11 Pro and Firefox browser.

 

[monte12345]

I have two computers, both running Windows 11 Pro. Browser on both is Firefox. The desktop is a home built system built for power based on an ASUS ProArt Z790 Creator with a 24 core 14 gen i9 CPU, 2 TB primary drive, 128gb RAM, and Nvidia RTX 3060 12gb VRAM. The laptop is a Lenovo Thinkpad with a 10 core 13 gen i7 CPU, 1 TB primary drive, 32gb RAM, and Intel iRIS graphics. Both computers are 24H2 machines and after hearing that 25H2 isn't futzing up the downloaded firmware files I'll do that upgrade to see if that solves the issue. I will also note that image software shared between both computers is Corel Paintshop Pro 2023, NX Studio (1.9 on laptop, 1.10 on desktop), and DXO Photolab 8. Image software that is desktop only is DXO Photolab 9, ON1 Photo Raw 2025, and Aiarty Image Enhancer.

Looking at the Update History it seems the Laptop is actually more recent. The desktop's last update was KB5066835, the Laptops last update is KB505679.

Beyond that I have not a clue as to why Windows 11 Pro is doing this to my downloads from Nikon on the desktop computer. Good news is that I do have that Laptop to use and in a worst case situation I could use the Windows 10 Virtual Machine I have running under VBox if I enable access to the internet. BTW have that set up because a Windows 10 security update disabled the use of a USB Software Key. So that particular version is a version of Windows 10 that precedes that security update.

 

[AWG_Pics]

No problem here with FW 3.0 on my Zf via my windows 11 desktop.

 

[Lucky Sky]

MS Edge, Win11 all updated and current including optional updates as of this post. Downloaded and installed FW v1.02 on my Z5II. No problems noted. Update routine 100% normal.

 

[f16falcona46]

When you first encrypt a file in a folder, you have the option to either encrypt the file only, or the file and its parent folder (which is the default). Is there any chance that you have selected that option such that your Downloads folder is encrypted?

 

[stevenj2]

My Win 11 version is 24H2, awaiting install of 25H2.
Is it downloaded to directory or folder / subfolder "Downloads"? Camera formatted card and put update file not in DCIM but 'root' of he card?
This one Zf 3.0 is worthwhile, A prior small update for Zf -was- a problem- would not install, but since being minor, I skipped it. Not delving into issues for that one.

Note, this will be a problem going forward for every Windows 11 user because it a fault in a Security Update for Windows 11.

Sunday Nov 2, 2025 I decided to do the 3.0 firmware update for my Zf. So go to the Nikon site and went to the download page for this firmware. Download the file, copy it to a freshly formatted UHS-2 memory card using the Zf to do the format, put the card in the camera and opened up the Firmware function. The screen showed C2.02 and L2.00. Note had the 50mm f1.4 Nikkor Z mounted on the camera.
--->ETC ETC

 

[monte12345]

When you first encrypt a file in a folder, you have the option to either encrypt the file only, or the file and its parent folder (which is the default). Is there any chance that you have selected that option such that your Downloads folder is encrypted?

This sounds like it may be possible. I just used google on how to do this and the Downloads folder was set to Encrypt. I unchecked that setting and downloaded the Z50II 1.03 Firmware and it came thru clean as a whistle with the Attribute showing A. Do want to thank you for your post. It's a real positive for this forum, we can find answers here that aren't available with google.

Now I need to figure out how to add Problem Solved to that first post and credit f16falcona46 for this solution. Any suggestions for that is appreciated.

 

[rangel28]

Took a break to cool off a bit and did a bunch of google searching with nothing yielded because suggestions to do the install via Snap Bridge or the Nikon Cloud service. Note, will NEVER EVER take that route because a bad firmware install results in a destroyed mainboard in the camera. I will also note that getting Snapbridge to connect to my cameras only works about 1 in 10 times. If I want to change the camera linked to Snapbridge that usually takes up to 45 minutes to accomplish and the WIFI connection is usually closed within 5 minutes. BTW don't know if its the Phone or Snapbridge doing the disconnect but as a result I have concluded the only thing Snap Bridge is useful for is providing location data. As for the Cloud, not at all interested in the complete loss of Privacy that entails.

It's interesting to note that I received an e-mail yesterday, from a Nikon Imaging Cloud e-mail address, about updating my Z50II, and the email only mentions updating via the cloud, with no mention of updating the firmware via the SD card slot.

I may be wrong but I think when you update via the cloud the camera downloads the file to the camera first, and then peforms the update. In any event updating via the SD card is probably the safer route.